Browser does not support script.
Receive regular email updates and personalise your pages. Register now!
Recently, the partnership has developed rapidly through the use of video conferencing. Shireland loaned Holweide a Poly Span Video Conferencing Unit during an exchange visit to Cologne in December 2002. The unit was set up in Holweide School library and was then tested. Since January 2003 Shireland has been running a pilot project with Holweide to trial methodology, develop ways of virtual working and to establish a model for development of international video conferencing.
Video conferencing provides an excellent opportunity for students to communicate directly with native speakers and to work collaboratively through a virtual environment. It also provides an ideal vehicle for international teacher co-operation. A regular staff meeting from both schools takes place on a weekly basis, to discuss the focus of the conference and methods of working. Supplemented by email, the teachers are able to plan for these international conferences and to ensure that the students are able to derive maximum benefit from the opportunity to communicate on a range of subjects in the foreign language. Younger students have shared information and family photos, whilst older students have discussed their favourite types of music and issues of common concern. Older students have compiled questionnaires for each other, which have been discussed during video sessions. Other students shared in the experience of the Cologne Carnival, when they found their German friends dressed up for the celebrations. Students preparing for their GCSE presentation were able to talk to their partners in Germany about places to visit, local specialities and the progress of Bayer Leverkusen and recent films.
A recent development has also been the introduction of a work-experience element into the programme and last year three students from Holweide School completed work experience placements at Victoria Park Primary School and Metsec in Oldbury.